Sexual risk classes among youth experiencing homelessness: Relation to childhood adversities, current mental symptoms, substance use, and HIV testing

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether there are meaningful subgroups with different types of sexual risk behaviors among youth experiencing homelessness and examine the associations between potential classes and other risk variables. A latent class analysis was used to identify classes of youth according to sexual risk behaviors and sexual assault. A two-class solution was found to be the best fit for the data-Lower and Higher Risk groups. The Higher Risk class had significantly higher levels of synthetic marijuana and alcohol use, mental health diagnoses, and were more likely to have been tested for HIV than the Lower Risk group. Youth were more likely to be in the Higher Risk group if they were cisgender female or lesbian, gay, bisexual, or questioning (LGBQ). Nearly all youth (10/11) who reported having HIV infection were in the Higher Risk group. The Lower Risk group were sexually active but had lower rates of risk behaviors and sexual assault. Youth who were not sexually active had the lowest rates of marijuana and alcohol use as well as HIV testing. Health and social service providers should be aware of the added risks for stress, mental distress, mental health diagnoses, and substance use among youth who also report higher risk sexual behaviors and treat as needed.

Substance abuse and violence among homeless youth in Fayoum governorate

“…Regarding homeless youth risk behaviors regarding violence, the present study shows that, the majority of homeless youth carrying a weapon such as a gun, knife, or club during the past 30 days. Also, the majority of homeless youth one days during the past 30 days, days homeless youth not carrying a gun, knife, or club, and not during the past 12 months, has someone threatened or injured you with a weapon such as a gun, knife , the study agree by Sampson et al, [23], the study conducted in Bangladesh about " Neighborhood and Violent Crime: A Multilevel Student of Collective Efficacy "found that , shows that, 92.8% of homeless youth carrying a weapon such as a gun, knife, or club during the past 30 days. While , 92.8% of homeless youth one days during the past 30 days, days homeless youth not carrying a gun, knife, or club, 71.5% of them not during the past 12 months, has someone threatened or injured you with a weapon such as a gun, knife.…”

Survival sex among a diverse sample of women with histories of intimate partner violence: Results from a domestic violence shelter.

“…Research has consistently linked survival sex and substance use in samples across the lifespan (Jiwatram-Negrόn et al, 2020; Purser et al, 2017; Santa Maria et al, 2020; Shannon et al, 2008; Sharma et al, 2021; Ulloa et al, 2016; Walls & Bell, 2011). Commonly abused substances include alcohol, marijuana, meth, ecstasy, inhalants, crack, cocaine, and heroin (Jiwatram-Negrón & El-Bassel, 2015; Jiwatram-Negrón et al, 2020; Oppong Asante et al, 2016; Walls & Bell, 2011).…”

The Association between Housing Stability and Perceived Quality of Life among Emerging Adults with a History of Homelessness

“…Past research also shows that unhoused emerging adults report higher rates of illicit drug use compared to the general population [18], and housing instability is associated with substance use among emerging adults [19,20]. A signifcant body of work also suggests that there are high rates of sexual risk behavior among unhoused emerging adults [21][22][23]. Finally, evidence shows that experiencing homelessness in early adulthood may have long-term consequences in that the resulting gap in life skills to live independently in turn increases risks for chronic homelessness [24].…”

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Many cities across the United States are experiencing homelessness at crisis levels, including rises in the number of unhoused emerging adults (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25). Emerging adults experiencing homelessness may be at higher risk of experiencing negative outcomes, given that being unhoused increases risk for a variety of behaviors.

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